CUSTOMER SERVICE WOES

WARNING:

Pet peeve rant ensuing…

Customer service.

I hate to say this, but sometimes the two words don't go together.

I have had recent experience with this.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter.

A letter that necessitated action on my part.

And so, of course, since Murphy rules the world sometimes, the letter arrived after hours, on Friday, so I had to wait all weekend to do something about it.

This is one of my nightmares.

I'm a *get it resolved as quickly as possible or I'm not going to be able to stop obsessing thinking about it* kind of girl.

And so, anything that comes to my attention that I can't fix right away, well, it niggles at my mind…

ALL. THE. TIME.

Finally, Monday morning arrived, and I was ready for action.

Evidently, the customer service department was not.

To my great dismay, I could not get past the automated voice system.

I am sorry, but I like talking to a live person!

And usually, I'm able to thwart the system.

Sometimes I'll just keep hitting "0" until Annie Automated gets frustrated with me – (HA – tables turned!) – and transfers me.

Or, sometimes I'll just refuse to press ANY button.

After a handful of repetitions, Annie gets her circuits all twisted – and transfers me.

But this morning, I must have been dealing with Annie's sister, a much savvier and impatient woman named Agatha.

I tried my multiple-0-pushing method.

I tried my sit-and-do-nothing tactic.

I tried.  

And tried.  

And tried.

Nothing worked.

All I got was a disembodied voice that said, "We're sorry you're having trouble. Please try calling again later."

And then the call was disconnected.

GRRR!!!

Unwilling to give up so easily, I actually ended up calling back several times.

Like I wasn't able to fully believe that I was beat.

Until I finally realized how ridiculous it was to keep doing the same thing, with the same futile result, over and over (and perhaps over and over) again.

I finally hunted down another number associated with the company, and tried that.

Imagine my great relief when an automated voice (oh, the irony) told me to wait for the *next available representative*.

That sounded like a person, so I waited.

(Take that, Annie and Agatha…)

I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

For at least 15-20 minutes.

But finally, I was rewarded with a voice.

A real, live, actual, person's voice.

"Can I help you?"

Oh yes indeed, you can.

And, wonder of wonders, this person was actually very helpful (thanks, Nicole!)

When all was said and done, I had spent more than two hours resolving the problem.

Why on earth, you ask?

Let me tell you.


1. Calling "The Hub" to direct him where to find the pertinent paperwork.  (I was out of town at the time).

2. Waiting for him to find the proper paperwork.

(This in itself was like negotiating a peace treaty, in two languages):

"Where is it?"
"In that green file in the second drawer in the filing cabinet."
"Ok, give me a minute..."

(Insert the sound of opening drawers, and rustling paper)

"Is it the file that says_______?"
"No, it's the other one."
"In front of that one?"
"No, behind."
"The one that says_______?"
"Yes!"
"Ok, what do you need?"
"The envelope stapled to the letter."
"Which envelope?"
"The one with my notes on the front."

(More rustling...)

"The one that says_______?"
"Yes!  My hero!!"

(I think you get the picture.  No slam on "The Hub" – it's just that I'm the filing person in our household, and I know exactly where things are.  Trying to convey that information over the phone was challenging for both of us!)

3. Writing down the information he gave me.

4. Double-checking the details (as I wasn't able to look at it…in person!)

5. Multiple phone calls.

6. Wrestling with Annie and Agatha.

7. Searching on the Internet for alternative customer service numbers to call.

8. A coffee break.

9. One phone call, multiple minutes on hold.

10. Yakking about the problem.

11. Writing down everything that transpired.

12. Double-checking that everything was indeed in order so that I wouldn't have to start this time-wasting, mind-numbing process again!!


Suffice it to say, when the problem was finally resolved (thank you!), it was after lunchtime.

Sigh.


OK, I will officially step down from my soapbox now, but the whole situation got me thinking about service in general.

How is the word service defined?

Service – something done to help, be of benefit, or contribute to the welfare of others; useful labor; to wait on

As believers, we are called to service, right?

Well, actually, the more I thought about it, the more I began to realize that we are called to more – not just to give service to others, but to become servants.

Because God is always more concerned with what we are than what we do.

A servant is a person who is devoted to or guided by something – or, in our case, Someone.

Jesus calls us to follow Him, to follow His example.

And He certainly led the way in teaching us what it means to be a servant.


I think of some important things:


1. Be humble

Jesus purposefully, humbly set aside many of the privileges and power of being God.  He deigned to inhabit flesh, condescending to lower Himself to become one of us.

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant…" 
(Philippians 2:5-7, ESV)


2. Be unselfish

Servanthood implies an *other-person* orientation in our thoughts and attitudes.  It is the intentional act of looking outward, inside of myopically focusing inward.

Jesus was all about other people.

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)


3. Be available

There’s nothing worse than needing help and not being able to find it.  Being a servant means being accessible, ready, reachable.

Just like Jesus was.

"'Give to everyone who asks you…Do to others as you would have them do to you.'" (Luke 6:30-31, NIV)


4. Be knowledgeable

Part of being a good servant is knowing the Master – what He's like, what He expects, and how best to accomplish His purposes.

Jesus had a close, intimate relationship with the Father.

Being a good servant to others demands that we also know our Lord well.

"But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." (2 Peter 3:18, AMP)


5. Be helpful

This might sound like a no-brainer, but think about it.  How often are we inclined to offer advice, point out flaws, do things our way, fix and fiddle, judge and condemn – all in the name of "serving"?

Jesus always took the time to find out what the other person truly needed.

"…give generously to others in need…Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." (Ephesians 4:28-29, NLT)


6. Be patient

Helping others is sometimes very difficult.  People can be stubborn, and they can work against our best efforts.  They can test us and try us and drive us to distraction.

But Jesus didn't give up on others.

We shouldn't either.

"Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]." 
(1 Corinthians 13:7, AMP)


7. Be kind

Have you ever thought about this – Jesus was a gentleman, a gentle man.

His heart was tender and compassionate, merciful and forgiving.  There was a kindness in all His dealings.

We will be much more effective when we serve others if we use honey instead of vinegar.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander…Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, NLT)


Customer service.

Sometimes it drives me crazy, because I am anything but served well.

I don't want to be like that…

For I am called to follow Jesus.

Called to be a servant like He was.

Called to acts of service to others as a manifestation of my devotion to Him.

I want to do it well.

I want to be humble, unselfish, available, knowledgeable, helpful, patient, and kind.

I want to lose my life for His sake.


And, just for the record, I am totally looking forward to eternity – when the only customer service I'm planning to deal with will be serving the Lord forever...

...alive and IN PERSON!



Are you busy doing acts of service, or learning how to be a servant?

Anticipation,
anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'...

(by Carly Simon) 

"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Use them well to serve one another." (1 Peter 4:10, NLT)

"…use your freedom to serve one another in love.  For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" 
(Galatians 5:13-14, NLT)

"…we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35, NIV)

"…one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant." (Luke 22:26, NASB)

"'For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.'" (Mark 10:45, NLT)

"'And he sat down and called the twelve.  And he said to them, 'If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.'" (Mark 9:35, ESV)

"'Give, and you will receive.  Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.  The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.'" 
(Luke 6:38, NLT)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, NIV)

"If someone…sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God's love be in that person?  Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." (1 John 3:17-18, NLT)

"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" 
(Matthew 25:40, NLT)

"Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.  So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin.  Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him." (John 13:3-5, NLT)



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HEART SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAY, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, UNITE LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, WISE WOMAN, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, GRACE MOMENTS, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, DANCE WITH JESUS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, & FAITH, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, LET US GROW, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

LEAP YEAR MONDAY

February 29th.

Brought to you by the clever inventors of leap year.

My dad missed it by one day – his birthday was March 1st.

If I had been born on February 29th, this year I'd be celebrating my Sweet Sixteen birthday! 

(Hmmm, I like the sound of that better than 62…ahem).

I got to thinking about leap years, so I looked up some information.


Here's the facts:

1.  A leap year is also known as an intercalary year or a bissextile year.

2.  The extra day keeps the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical or seasonal year, and aligned with the Earth's revolutions around the Sun.

3.  Seasons and astronomical events do not repeat in a whole number of days. Therefore, calendars that have the same number of days in each year drift over time with respect to the event that the year is supposed to track. Inserting the extra day corrects the drift.

4.  A year that is not a leap year is called a common year.

5.  The name "leap year" comes from the fact that while a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar normally advances one day of the week from one year to the next, the day of the week in a leap year will advance two days (from March onwards) due to the extra day added at the end of February (thus "leaping over" one of the days in the week).

6.  Gregorian calendars were first used in 1582.  They are a modification of the Julian calendar first used by the Romans.

7.  There is also something known as a leap cycle.  Over a period of 4 centuries, the accumulated error of adding a leap day every 4 years amounts to about 3 extra days. The Gregorian calendar therefore removes three leap days every 400 years, which is the length of its leap cycle.

8.  You can tell if it's a leap year by what day of the week the year starts and ends on.  January 1st and December 31st always fall on the same day of the week.  In leap years, December 31st will fall on the following day of the week!

9.  In Ireland and Britain, it is a tradition that women may propose marriage only in leap years.   In Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered unlucky.

10.  A person born on February 29 may be called a "leapling" or a "leaper."

11.  There can be drawbacks to being born on February 29th.  There are an estimated five million people with Feb. 29 birthdays, and they once had to face a number of day-to-day administrative hassles.  Insurance companies, banks and other major organizations often didn't recognize leap day as a valid date, forcing people to choose either Feb. 28 or March 1 as their birthday.  Evolving technology has made this less of an issue, but some websites still won't accept Feb. 29.

12.  In Gilbert and Sullivan's 1879 comic opera "The Pirates of Penzance," Frederic the pirate apprentice discovers that he is bound to serve the pirates until his 21st birthday (that is, when he turns 84 years old), rather than until his 21st year.

13.  Leap years in history: During leap years, George Armstrong Custer fought the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876), the Titanic sank (1912), Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning is electricity (1752) and gold was discovered in California (1848).

14.  Famous people born on February 29th: Dinah Shore, Tony Robbins, Jimmy Dorsey, Dennis Farina, Lord Byron, and a bunch of other people that can't be that famous because I didn't know who they were!!


So in some ways, today is an *extra* day!

And that's got me thinking about time.

Did you know that time is bendable?

According to Einstein's Theory of Relativity, there is a phenomenon called time dilation – basically a difference of elapsed time between two events as measured by observers.

(For instance, clocks on the Space Shuttle ran slightly slower than reference clocks on Earth, while clocks on GPS and Galileo satellites run slightly faster…The laws of nature are such that time itself (i.e. spacetime) will bend due to differences in either gravity or velocity – each of which affects time in different ways.)

I don't begin to understand any of this – even though I am a huge fan of the "Back to the Future" movies!!

("…the encounter could create a time paradox.  The results of which could cause a chain reaction that would unravel the very fabric of the space-time continuum and destroy the entire universe!...Granted, that's the worst-case scenario.  The destruction however might be limited merely to our own galaxy." 
– Emmett "Doc" Brown)

"Great Scott!"


No, I am not a physicist, but I do know this.

Time is not static – especially as we experience it.

I have found that time moves at a different pace when I'm waiting for something.  If it's something good (tax refund check), time moves slowly.  But if it's something I'm dreading (root canal), it goes way too fast.  Of course, if I'm waiting to find out if something is good or bad (test results), time moves slowly again.

Interesting, huh?!

OK, if you've stuck with me so far – (and I'm sorry that today's post is rambling all over the place) – it's *time* to get practical.


We are finite beings – with a pre-determined amount of years allotted to us.

God sets our earthly time, our life clock, before we are even born – and He alone knows when that time will tick down to a stop.

And even if we live to be 100 years old, the time will still pass quickly.

So, what are we doing with the time given to us?

Our lives are a gift from God.

And in some ways, what we do with them is our gift to Him.


Are we pursuing His wisdom, His ways, His Word?

Are we spreading His Good News?

Are we making inroads for the Kingdom?

Are we storing up heavenly treasure?

Are we seeking His face, and spending time in relationship with Him?

Are we serving others well?


In other words, are we spending the time wisely?


I don't know how long my life will last.  But I want it to be well spent.  I am less concerned with quality of life than living a life of quality.

I want my years here to count for something – more accurately, I want them to count for Someone.

So, I'm taking this *extra* day and pondering how I might make better use of my time as I serve the Lord.


Time is passing.

Time is short.

And it's TIME – to get busy living, making the best use of our days, wisely following the Lord as He leads us moment-by-moment.

For He is coming…

…soon!

"Time is what we want most,
but what we use worst."

-- William Penn


Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

(Psalm 90:12)

"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.  Remind me that my days are numbered – how fleeting my life is.  You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.  My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.  We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.  We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.  And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?  My only hope is in you." 
(Psalm 39:4-7, NLT)

"Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.  For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.  As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.  When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, and its place acknowledges it no longer.  But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him…" (Psalm 103:13-17, NASB)

"He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again." (Psalm 78:39, ESV)

"For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being." (Job 12:10, NLT)

"For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." (Job 33:4, NLT)

"…He is not far from each one of us.  for in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our being]…" (Acts 17:27-28, AMP)

"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  How precious to me are your thoughts, God!  How vast is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139:16-17, NIV)

"Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You [in Your control], and You have made his limits so he cannot pass [his allotted time]." (Job 14:5, AMP)

"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog – it's here a little while, then it's gone." (James 4:14, NLT)

"But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, 'You are my God!'  My future is in your hands." (Psalm 31:14-15, NLT)

"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.  Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT)

"Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.  But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.  So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.  Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone…" (Galatians 6:8-10, NLT)

"'Look, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End…'" (Revelation 22:12-13, NIV)

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.'  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20, NIV)



How are you using your precious gift of time?




Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, TITUS 2SDAYS, WISE WOMAN, WORSHIPFUL WEDNESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, TUESDAY'S RUBIES, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, GRACE AT HOME, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, DANCE WITH JESUS, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, LIVING PROVERBS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

MY WILD WEST VACATION

"The Hub" and I just got back from a few days' vacation in southern Utah.

There is some beautiful scenery in this area.

Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument are all within driving distance.

Beautiful red rock vistas, crystal-clear rivers, secret canyons and waterfalls, towering mountains, and wide-open spaces – a feast for the eyes!  We've visited them all, and reveled in the beauty of God's creation.

But, this trip we were on a different sort of adventure.

We *journeyed* to the Old West instead!!

Once a year, "The Hub" and I make the trek to Kanab, Utah, to attend a Western Festival.

It's such a great time!  

Four days of music, movies, shopping, food, and fun!

And, just to make our time more "authentic," we dress up!  "The Hub" – who many think bears a striking resemblance to Sam Elliott – puts on his Virgil Earp garb.  And I wear my city-girl lavender satin dress.

What a pair!!  (Check out the photos of us at the end of this post!)

One of our favorite things to do at this event is visit with the *stars.*

Many of you will probably remember such movie and TV stars as Bruce Boxleitner, Don Collier, Barry Corbin, Cheryl Rogers Barnett (daughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans), Wyatt McCrea (grandson of Joel McCrea), and Clint Walker.

Well, we got to visit with them all!

And the one thing that always impresses us is how very kind, polite, and respectful these people are.  They are genuinely interested in what you have to say, and they are very generous with their time.

These people portrayed characters from a different time who truly embodied something called, "The Code of the West."


A little background on the "Code":

It was first chronicled by the famous western writer, Zane Grey, in his 1934 novel "The Code of the West."  Although no actual, written code ever existed, the tough and hardy pioneers who lived in the West abided by a set of "rules" – rules that centered on hospitality, fair play, loyalty, and respect for the land.

Ramon Adams, a Western historian, explained it best in his 1969 book, "The Cowman and His Code of Ethics," saying:

"Back in the days when the cowman with his herds made a new frontier, there was no law on the range.  Lack of written law made it necessary for him to frame some of his own, thus developing a rule of behavior, which became known as the "Code of the West."  These homespun laws, being merely a gentleman's agreement to certain rules of conduct for survival, were never written into statutes, but were respected everywhere on the range."

There are many versions of the "Code" – but they all have one thing in common.

They closely parallel Biblical principles.


So, without further ado, here's a short version of "The Code of the West" – and some spiritual *rules* I think we can all follow:


1. Live Each Day with Courage

We are called to be courageous, and exhorted often to "Fear not."  I find it so difficult to be fear-less, but I think it's crucial as believers not to be fear-ruled. The enemy's kingdom is dominated by fear.  But God's Kingdom is ruled by love.

As children of the King, we should live like it!

"…be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)


2. Take Pride in Your Work

My dad always said, "If it it's worth doing, it's worth doing well."  A great work ethic, but an even better spiritual principle to live by.  We speak volumes to others when we take our duties, our jobs, our responsibilities seriously. Displaying a thoughtful attitude about everything we do is crucial to our witness.

For in fact, we work for the Lord, and for His Kingdom.

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord…" (Colossians 3:23)


3. Always Finish What you Start

Lazy, irresponsible people do not make good Christian witnesses.  We are called to integrity and excellence in all we do.  God does not want tepid, half-hearted workers for the great harvest He is preparing.  He calls us to persevere and endure, to complete the tasks He assigns.

So, let's be strong to the finish of the race of faith.

"Now you should finish what you started.  Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now…" (2 Corinthians 8:11)


4. Do What Has to Be Done

The walk of faith is not easy.  It can be full of hardship and suffering. Following the Lord takes dedication and devotion.  And sometimes we are called to do difficult things.  In all of this, God calls us to do what has to be done – always giving of our time, our resources, ourselves.

Let's strive to be good and faithful servants.

"Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty." 
(Ecclesiastes 12:13)


5. Be Tough, But Fair

Tough love.  Every parent knows that it is sometimes required.  And in the Body of Christ, we are also called to confront sin.  We are not to be conformed to this world, and that means we are to stand firm on issues of Truth.  Let us do everything in the name of love, but let's never slide down the slippery slope of compromise.

Pray for wisdom and discernment, and when called to do so, stand tall!

"This is what the LORD says: Be fair-minded and just.  Do what is right!" (Jeremiah 22:3)


6. When You Make a Promise, Keep It

I don't know about you, but it seems to me that fewer and fewer people value the virtues of honesty, honor, and sincerity.  Never is this more apparent than when this country approaches election year.  Do you believe anything anyone says anymore?!  God calls us to something greater.  He calls us to Truth.

Therefore, we should be people of our word, because we are People of His Word!

"The godly are directed by honesty…" (Proverbs 11:5)


7. Ride for the Brand

When I look around me, when I look within me, I sometimes question God's plan to make us His representatives.  What was He thinking?!  We are all too often very poor reflections of his Son.  We must realize that being a Christian is much more than just a title.  It is a responsibility to the Lord to let Him do His work through us.

Pray for the will and the power to represent Him well.

"So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.  We speak for Christ…" (2 Corinthians 5:20)


8. Talk Less and Say More

Can anyone tame the tongue?!  (Correct answer = NO!)  In fact, we must constantly be aware of our tendency to speak too much.  We must be aware of our power to hurt and wound with careless words.  Rather, we must allow the Holy Spirit to direct this mighty weapon.

May we allow the Lord to speak through us, and to silence us when we should not speak.

"…I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say.  I will hold my tongue…" (Psalm 39:1)


9. Remember That Some Things Are Not For Sale

We must never forget that we are a redeemed people, purchased and bought with the blood of Christ.  Therefore, we must be oh-so-careful to remember that we are living temples of the Holy Spirit – and we are admonished to behave accordingly.

Guard your heart, protect your reputation, shield your mind, respect your body.

"You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.  So you must honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)


10. Know Where to Draw the Line

The very best *roadmap* in life is The Word of God.  Full of wise counsel, its words will guide us.  No, we are no longer living under the tyranny of the Law – the Lord has set us free from slavery to sin.  However, He has not given us a license to exercise bad behavior!

Know His rules, obey His regulations, and freedom will reign.

"Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation." 
(Matthew 26:41)


Yup, we would do well to follow the "Code of the West" – but it's much better to follow the "Code of the Word."

Which just might be summed up by Paul's words in Philippians:

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing.  Then the God of peace will be with you." 
(Philippians 4:8-9, AMP)


Happy Trails, pardners…

See you on down the road!

If it's not yours,
don't take it.
If it's not true,
don't say it.
If it's not right,
don't do it. 

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, NLT)

"This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior..." (1 Timothy 4:10, NLT)

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." (Acts 20:24, NIV)

"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master.'" (Matthew 25:23, ESV)

"...we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church...So stop telling lies.  Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body." 
(Ephesians 4:15, 24, NASB)

"A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it.  He must do exactly what he said he would do." 
(Numbers 30:2, NLT)

"Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:5-6, ESV)

"In the same way, the tongue is a small thing...the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body.  It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself...If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom." (James 3:5-6, 13, NLT)

"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other." (Romans 12:4-5, NLT)

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV)




Are you living by "The Code of the Word"?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, MOM 2 MOM MONDAY, WORDS OF COMFORT MONDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, UNITE, RA RA LINKUP, TUESDAY TALK, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SO MUCH AT HOME, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THEOCENTRIC THURSDAYS, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, LOOKING UP LINKUP, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, DANCE WITH JESUS, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, LIVING PROVERBS, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

POUTING IS RIDICULOUS

And so am I.

Here's how I know…

Sometimes I find myself stuck in a *place* – stuck as the hostess at a big ol' Pity Party, where plenty of whine is served.

Yeah, it's all-too-easy for me to get stuck in a negative place.

I might have explanations for it, but these rarely make good excuses. 

So, here I was last week, fighting a cold, doing the taxes, thinking on life, and feeling sorry for myself.  (By the way, I have found that if you look for the clouds, the silver lining rarely appears – just sayin')

"The Hub" and I decided one day to head down the hill to do some *city things* we needed to do – the banking, the pharmacy, the car insurance, etc.  And, on this trip, we added this to our list – a visit to the BIG supermarket chain.

There is a wonderful little grocery store here in town, and we usually do our shopping up here.  It's convenient, and we like to support the local community.  But, once in awhile, we like to do a "big shopping", stocking up on non-refrigerated items, and it's good to get the savings down the hill.

On this day, we were also on a mission for church. 

You see, we have a local Help Center, a sort of thrift shop in town.  But it's also a place where the less-than-fortunate can get much-needed necessities – like food.  And once a year our church has a food drive to help them re-stock the shelves.

So, this is the setting in which I found myself – a big supermarket down the hill – the setting in which I found out how silly it is to pout.

As "The Hub" and I filled up the cart, I was pondering.  But when we started filling up the cart with food items that were obviously meant for children's lunch boxes, I started tearing up.  All I could picture was the faces of those kids.  How grateful they would be to have a juice box, or a peach cup, or a fruit roll-up.

It brought back so many memories of packing sack lunches for my boys.  The thoughts and feelings that I had when I did it – the love I had for them, the warm sense of being able to care for them, and provide nourishment for their day.

That's when it came to me – in some small way, we were giving other parents the ability to provide for their children.  Something they just might not be able to do on their own.

I'm not kidding, it brought me to near sobs right there in the aisle.

"The Hub" caught my eye – wondering and worrying about why I was on the verge of a melt-down.

All I could get out was something to the effect of how very foolish I had been lately.  How self-absorbed.  How short-sighted.

How my pouting had been so ridiculous.

I had been whining about superfluous things, when people were worried about enough food to eat.

I prayed right there in the aisle, asking the Lord to forgive me for being so shallow.  For losing sight of what's important.  For forgetting to thank Him for all the blessings that He bestows on my family…and me.

And I thanked Him for the privilege of being His hands and feet to those who are needy.

Though it's greatly uncomfortable when the Holy Spirit brings me to a moment of conviction, I am grateful that He does.

Because sometimes I really, really need it.  I need that moment of pause.  I need to be reminded of how *alive and well* that sinful nature is inside of me.

I need to be shown, once again, that all I have is His.  It all belongs to Him, and I am only the blessed receiver of gifts given to me by The Gracious Giver.  And, because of that, I also have the solemn responsibility to share His gifts with others…

I am blessed to be a blessing.

You are, too.

Pass it on…

Make us, we beseech thee, faithful stewards of thy great bounty. 

"And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." (Matthew 10:42, NLT)

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done." (Proverbs 19:17, NIV)

"And the angel replied, 'Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!'" (Acts 10:4, NLT)

"You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35, NLT)

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." (Luke 12:48, NLT)

"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap." (Luke 6:38, NLT)

"Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too...Do everything without complaining and arguing...shining like bright lights..." (Philippians 2:4, 14-15, NLT)

What can you do today to bless someone else?

(SIDENOTE:  Might I just add that this post had absolutely nothing to do with any commentary about our generosity - but it is all about my attitude, and my conviction that God calls me to something bigger and better than complaining.  Besides, pouting causes wrinkles!!)

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at UNITE
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY
Kasey at WALKING REDEEMED
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Crystal at THRIVING THURSDAY
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS
Julie at FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

QUAINT WORDS - For The New Year

Welcome to "Quaint Words!”

These posts will contain thoughts, poems, and prayers from old books that I have found at antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales (with an occasional treasure from a bookstore).

I love the rhythm and sound of the older English language, and am blessed by other believers who have gone before me!

ONE BY ONE

One by one the sands are flowing,

One by one the moments fall,

Some are coming, some are going -

Do not strive to grasp them all.

One by one thy duties wait thee,

Let thy whole strength go to each;

Let no future dreams elate thee;

Learn thou first what those can teach.

One by one (bright gifts from heaven),

Joys are sent thee here below;

Take them readily, when given,

Ready too to let them go.

One by one thy griefs shall meet thee,

Do not fear an armed band;

One will fade, while others greet thee,

Shadows passing through the land.

Do not look at life's long sorrow,

See how small each moment's pain;

God will help thee for to-morrow -

Every day begin again.

Every hour that fleets so slowly,

Has its task to do or bear;

Luminous the crown, and holy,

If thou set each gem with care.

Do not linger with regretting,

Or for passion's hour despond,

Nor, the daily toil forgetting,

Look too eagerly beyond.

Hours are golden links, God's token,

Reaching heaven one by one;

Take them lest the chain be broken,

Ere the pilgrimage be done.

(From The Changed Cross, by Henry Altemus, c. 1897)

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." (Philippians 3:13-14, NLT)

*How will you spend your *moments* - one by one - in 2014?

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"